EHN meeting 23 June 2010
The meeting was opened by welcoming everyone and particularly the new participants European Draught Horse Federation (FECTU) and the European Equestrian Federation (EEF). On the agenda was the report Social importance of the horse sector, key figures of the Horse industry, the first EHN conference and the next Equus Conference in Ireland 2013.
New EHN members
FECTU is an umbrella organisation for 17 European associations involved in the promotion of the working horse (and other draught animals) in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, and United Kingdom.
Objectives:
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Participate in the preservation of the common draught animal heritage
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Promote working and leisure use of draught horses
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Ensure sound practices with regard to the animals and humans involved and to
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the environment – horses as a sustainable energy source
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Encourage the development of new machinery and techniques which ensure economically viable work and animal welfare
EEF represents the interests of European horse sport within the FEI. It will also liaise with the European Union and other decision making bodies on matters of concern to the horse community. The goal is to contribute positively to the FEI by improving communication, cooperation and understanding.
Social importance of the horse sector
The report was presented by Harald Müller (FEI):
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Health: contribution to the positive perception for sport, mental health, youth development as well as management training
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Economic impact: agriculture land-use, activities of breeding, feeding, keeping, education
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Leisure: relaxation and close to nature
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Environment: equestrian tourism regarded as eco-friendly but meeting the challenge of labelling and of practices (conflict of spaces and creation of riding tracks)
Key figures of the Horse industry
10 relevant figures are presented by Frederic Chauvel (Pole-Filiere Equine): methodology and difficulties to find it. The meeting agreed to create a core group to work on figures.
Future membership
It was decided that EHN need to discuss its working structure and governance and establish criteria for future membership. Still, relevant associations could be identified such as the Veterinarians organisation.
EHN 2010 Conference
The date was set to 17 November in Brussels. The preparation continues and a network conference call was set for July 15. On the agenda: program, keynote speakers, invitations and communication.
EQUUS 2010 Conference
Cathy McGlynn (EFTBA) has met with representatives of the National University of Ireland. She has also established a contact with the Irish Agriculture Department and both structures are willing to host and fund the next EQUUS conference in 2013.
